Hanging and releasing device



Dec. 14,1926. 1,610,511

R.' E. GLAVIN HANGING AND RELEASING DEVICE Filed Jan. 22. 1924 2 sheets-sheet z Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

unirsi) STATES 1,610,511 PATENT OFFICE.

ROLAND E. GLAVIN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSGNOR T0 WESTINGHOUSE i ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A COREORATIQN 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

HANGNG AND RELEASING DEVICE.

Application filed January 22, 1924. Serial No. 687,733.

My invention relates to lighting fixtures and particularly to suspending `and releasing' devices for lamp hangers which are operated from a remote point by means 'ot' a cord. f

One object of my invention is to provide a suspending and releasing device which shallcomprise a small number of movable parts that are comparatively strong and are inexpensive tomanufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a suspending and releasing device vwhich shallbe positively operated from a i distant point by means of atlexible member and shall automatically operate to turn the movable parts into consecutive loclrmg and unlocking positions bythe repetition ot a straight line movement.

In the drawings, constituting a part hereof, in which like characters designate like parts,

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view. of my device taken along the line I-I of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the cam member thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of my devicev partially in section taken along the line 11T-IV of Fig. 1.

The 'device comprises a stationary member 1v of bell-shape and a movable spindle member 2. The stationary member 1 is adapted to be attached to a pole or an overhead bracket by means'of a threaded portion 3 and is provided with inwardly-projecting pins 4 and an apertured ring 5 attached thereto by means lof bolts 6. The ring 5 is provided with cam shape projections 7 on the outer surface thereof for guiding spindle arms 8 into openings 1n the apertured ring and, on the other slde, with saddle members 10 for retaining the spindle arms 8 and with cam shape guide members 11 for directing the spindle arms into the openings 9 therein.

A ring 12`is provided with oammed projections 13 on its ynormally lower end forming openings for` accommodating arms 8, and with cam slots 14 in its outer surface for engaging pins 4 in the stationary member 1. The ring is mounted on the spindle 2 and adapted to move 'freely on the spindle between arms 8 and pins 4. lVhen the ring 12 is raised into'a position such that the through an angle 1ot 45 at each upward pins 4 engage the slot 14 and the arms 3 are seated between the projections 3, the ring is locked between the arms and pins and a further upward movement of the spindle causes the spindle and ring to turn Vas a unit through an are, the turning being in proportion to the distance the spindle is advanced vertically. As soon as a downward movement is imparted to the spindle, theV ring tends to be suspended on the pins 4 and the arms move vertically without turning.:

If the ring moves simultaneously with the arms, it willreturn more slowly in a vertical direction than the arms, since it must return in a screw-like manner and since the camshaped faces of the projections 13 will slide.

on the arms 8 when the arms 8j are not pressed upwardly in the openings between projections 13.

The lamp spindle 2 is raised and loweredA into 'the overhead stationary member by means of a rope or oord attached thereto andoperated over pulleys or other suitable devices, from a point on theground. The

arms 8 on the lamp spindle support the loose' cam-ring 12 thereon which is provided with cam shape projections 13'tor gripping the arms 8 when a downward pressure is exerted on the ring. The cam-ring 12 has screw-like or helical slots 14 therein adapted to coop erate with the pins 4 on the fixed member and cause the ring and spindle to turn straightdine movement of. the spindle wheii tionary member enter the screw-shaped slots Y 14 otl the cam ring. The progressive movement of the spindle tends to hold the projections 13 ot the cam ring' in engagement with the spindle arms 8 and to turn the cam and spindle `as one member. In the exs treme position7 when theV pins 4 are atl the bottom of the slots 14, theY arms S are entirely above the apertured ring 5 and will have been turned through an angle of 45; then. by releasing the rope.` and relieving the downward pressure of the cam ring 12 on the arms 8, the arms 8 drop vertically into the saddle portions 10 yof the apertured ring and support the spindle and lamp thereby.

Upon dropping the spindle into the saddle, there is a tendency for the cam ring 12 to be supported on the pins 4, but when the ring finally travels back in a screwlike manner and drops onto the spindle arms 8, a new set of projections 13 on cam ring 12 will surround the arms. In order to release and lower the spindle, the spindle 2 is again lifted vertically and the action of the cam ,14 and pins 4 turns the'spindle another 45"` in the manner already described- Then, upon release, the spindleQ slips vertically downward through thecam ring 12 and the arms-8 are guided into the radial openings 9 of the apertured ring by means of guides-11 on the inside thereof. A pair of pins 15 screwed in the end of the spindle retain the cam ring on the spindle.

My invention provides an automatically operating locking and unlocking device comprising a small number of parts which are of relatively rugged construction. Means in the cam-ring and arms on the spindle co-operate with pins in the stationary member to turn the arms each time that the spindle is given an upward straight-line motion and then to lower the spindle, each time that it is given a downward straight-line motion. A suitable apertured plate en the stationary member is provided with guides'and stops, which co-operate with the movable members to lock and'release the spindle.

Although'I have described a speciiic hanging and releasing` device embodying my invention, I do not wish to be vlimited thereto as the details of my device, such as the form and shape of the cams, the spindle and the stationary member, may be varied. Other variations will suggest themselvesl to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit oi' my invention, the scope of which is detined in the annexed claims.

I claimk as my invention:

1. A lampA hanging device comprising a stationary member, a spindle, means for turning said lamp spindle through an angle each time it-'is movedin a straight line in one direction and toV return independently of turning movement when moved in the opposite direction, said means including a' movable cammed ring mounted on said spindle, arms on said spindle, an apertured ring Ion said stationary member, means 1n said ring and spindle for retaining said spindle-when in one position and means in said ring for guiding and releasing said arms when said spindle is turned at an angle.

2. A lamp hanging device comprising4 a stationary member, a spindle, means for turning said spindle through an angle; of

45 each time it is moved in a straight line in one direction and to return when moved in the opposite direction, arms on said spindie, an apertured ring on said' stationary member, means on both sides of said ring tor guiding said arms through said apertured ring and means ononc side of said ring for retaining said arms.

3. A lamp hanging device comprising a stationary member of bell-shape, a movable suspended member, an vapertured ring in said` stationary member, arms on said movable member arranged to support said movable member iirom a portion of said apertured ring, means on said stationary member coacting with means on said movable member forv turningsaid movable member by-mcans of a straight line movement into a lockingpositionand for turning said movable member by a like movement into an unlocking position.

4. A- lamp hanging device comprising a stationary member-otbell-shape, a movable suspended member, an apertured ring in said stationary member, arms on said movable member arranged to support said movable member from `a portion 'of said apertured ring, pins on saidY stationary member coacting with a cam-ring on said movable member for turning. said movable member by means of a straight line movement into a locking position and for turning said movable member by a like movement into an unlocking` position.

5. A lamp hanging 4device comprising a stationary member, a movable suspended member, an apertured ,ring in said stationary member provided4 with radial slits therethrough, guide members on both sides and saddle members on one side thereof, supporting arms on said movable member, a cam-ring supported by said arms, means in said ring and stationary member for turning said movable member into a locking position by a straight line movement of the movable member and means in said camring for engaging said armsv before lockingl andf for releasing said arms after locking said arms, said cam-ring and turning means acting to return said movable member into the release position by repeating said straight line movement.

6. A lamp hanging device comprising a stationary member, a movable suspended member, an apertured ring'in said stationary member provided with radial slits therethrough, guide members onboth sides and saddle members on one side thereof, supporting arms lon said movable member, a cam-ring supported by said arms, means in said ring and stationary member for turning 'said movable member through an angle of 45o into `a locking position .by a straight line movement of the movable member and means insaid cam-ring for engaging said lili? arms before locking and for releasing said arms after locking said arms, said cam-ring and turningl means acting to return said movable member into the release position by repeating said straight line movement.

7. A locking and releasing device comprising a relatively stationary member having an apertured plate thereon, a projection on the inner surface of said member, a relatively movable member provided with an arm adapted to pass through the Iopening in said plate When in one position and to engage said plate when in another position, a

ring loosely supported on said movable member, said ring` having a screw-like channel in the surface thereof adapted to cooperate With said projection and cammed projeotions on said ring for gripping said arms when the movable member is actuated in one direction and for permitting,` slippage between .said arm and ring when actuated in the opposite directie In testimony Whereorli7 I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of January,

R. E. GLAVIN. 

